World War 3 fears as Iran fires missile with 1,000km range amid tensions with the West

The launch is not believed to have posed a threat to shipping or US bases. A Shabaab-3 missile is believed to have been the type of missile used according to CNN Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr. Ms Starr tweeted that according to a US official: “The intelligence assessment is its part of Iran’s efforts to improve the range and accuracy.”

 

This news comes as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Bloomberg he would be willing go to Iran for peace talks: “Sure. If that’s the call, I’d happily go there, I would welcome the chance to speak directly to the Iranian people.”

Mr Pompeo’s role is the American equivalent of Foreign Secretary.

The latest development comes amid rising tensions between Iran and western powers.

They began when Donald Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal.

READ MORE: How Israel has contained Iran by using Syria as a battleground 

Mr Trump then imposed sanctions on Tehran in a high pressure strategy for renegotiation. 

The sanctions restrict Iran’s ability to trade in US dollars or access the American financial system. 

Washington blames Iran for attacks on two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman. 

A US drone was shot down in what Iran claims was its airspace, which nearly resulted in retaliatory strikes before the POTUS pulled out. 

 

Britain then accepted a US request to detain a Panamanian flagged tanker, Grace I of Gibraltar, that was suspected of sending Iranian oil to Syria.

Despite the Royal Navy sending warships to protect British shipping, Iran managed to detain two British oil tankers.

A Government spokesman said: “The Royal Navy has been tasked to accompany British-flagged ships through the Strait of Hormuz, either individually or in groups, should sufficient notice be given of their passage.

“Freedom of navigation is crucial for the global trading system and world economy, and we will do all we can to defend it.”

source: express.co.uk